ASPCA Offers $20,000 Reward for Information Leading to Arrest in Case of Dog Left to Starve to Death in Suitcase

NEW YORK—The ASPCA^® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals^®) today announced that it will offer a $20,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction in the case of a malnourished pit bull mix that was found zipped inside a suitcase on Thursday afternoon in the south Bronx by NYPD officers.  

According to the NYPD, which is leading this investigation, the approximately 3 year old male dog was left sometime before 1 p.m. behind 700 Morris Ave. outside the Melrose Houses. The NYPD officers on duty immediately transferred the dog to the care of the ASPCA where it is currently being examined for evidence and receiving life-saving medical treatment.

“This dog was deprived of food and water, then discarded on a city curb as if it were garbage,” said Matt Bershadker, president and CEO of the ASPCA. “Such callous disregard for a living creature is unconscionable, and should not go unpunished. We ask anyone with knowledge of this dog or how it came to be in this condition to please come forward and provide information to the NYPD. This kind of cruelty should not be tolerated in New York City, or anywhere.”

Anyone with information about this case is asked to contact the NYPD Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-577-TIPS or going online to submit a tip to via Crime Stoppers’ website. NYPD Crime Stoppers accepts anonymous tips.

The ASPCA encourages the New York City public to be vigilant when it comes to reporting suspected animal abuse and to contact call 311 to report animal cruelty or neglect or 911 if they see a crime in progress.